But the 6.9% swing from Labour to Conservative wasn't enough to oust Mr Whitehead, who was elected for a fourth time.

The result was clear by 3.30am, but wasn't declared by Mayor Liz Mizon until 5am after a recount was called for the neighbouring Southampton Itchen
seat.

"I am delighted to be re-elected once again to Southampton Test, and, above all, delighted the people of Southampton Test have put their confidence in me and I will do my best for them in return.

"It is also a victory that shows that the values of fairness and social justice are burning brightly in Southampton. I will take that with me for what I think will be a difficult period for
Parliament and the country over the next couple of years."

Speaking about his 5.5% majority, Mr Whitehead added: "I think that is a healthy majority under the circumstances and I attribute that to the extraordinary hard work of the Labour party workers and
activists."

He said British politics was entering new territory, with no single party able to claim moral right to a monopoly of power in
parliament.

However, the former city council leader would not be drawn on the future of Gordon Brown, saying his party leader had run a strong campaign.

"It is too early in what is a very uncertain result to say anything about the future of the Labour Party," he said.

"Gordon Brown ran a very strong campaign and that has been reflected in the Southampton result. He deserves credit for that."

Related links

A disappointed Councillor Moulton said he was proud the Conservatives had run a positive campaign.

"To reduce a majority of nearly 8,000 to 2,000 is quite an achievement," the 33-year-old said.

"I don't think we could have done anything more. We have increased our vote by almost 40% and are the only party to have gone up."

The city councillor, who arrived at the count at 10pm, added: "I will possibly run again, but my immediate priority is to spend time with my family."

With the Labour vote slashed, and the party losing its grip on power nationally, there was a subdued atmosphere at Southampton Guildhall.

Turnout was up on the last two elections to 61.1% (44,187), compared with 57.5% in 2005 and 56.3%.

Lib Dem candidate David Callaghan, who polled 9,865 votes, down -1.8%, said: "I am slightly disappointed. I was hoping that we would do a little bit better.

The freelance journalist, who was also running for re-election at Sutton Borough Council, added: "I would have liked to have spent more time on the
campaign, but I also have to fight my own seat. It shows that if we had more time and resources then we would have done really well."

Pearline Hingston, the Ukip candidate whose purple hair match that of her party's logo, said: "I would like to say thank to all of the Southampton
people who voted for me and I am sorry that I did not do better."

A clearly disappointed Chris Bluemel, the Green Party candidate, said: "It was a seat we never expected to win. I am not disappointed by the number, the
most disappointing thing for me was that we came so far behind Ukip, a party that is so far to the right."

Comments (18)

Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.

Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.Condor Man

Condor Man wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.

more of a case that the other smaller partys took votes away from denham.
smith is one hell of a bad loser, he showed that tonight.
you going to see a big change this is the last time you will see the torys in power.

[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.[/p][/quote]more of a case that the other smaller partys took votes away from denham.
smith is one hell of a bad loser, he showed that tonight.
you going to see a big change this is the last time you will see the torys in power.southy

Condor Man wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.

JM's result was excellent - and if there is another election in October then he will surely win.

[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.[/p][/quote]JM's result was excellent - and if there is another election in October then he will surely win.Adrian Smith

Condor Man wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.

JM's result was excellent - and if there is another election in October then he will surely win.

it be 2012 the next election, and moulton is finished he will not stand again in the test, he was sent a very clear message last night he not wanted in the test. with the number of people that never registered to vote lower than the last election and the turn out for those that did registered to vote was about 57%, 49% of all those that could vote if all had registered and still could not win, he will have no chance whats so ever when the TUSC stands in the test, it will bring out the people who have not voted in a very long time to vote to vote for the TUSC

[quote][p][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.[/p][/quote]JM's result was excellent - and if there is another election in October then he will surely win.[/p][/quote]it be 2012 the next election, and moulton is finished he will not stand again in the test, he was sent a very clear message last night he not wanted in the test. with the number of people that never registered to vote lower than the last election and the turn out for those that did registered to vote was about 57%, 49% of all those that could vote if all had registered and still could not win, he will have no chance whats so ever when the TUSC stands in the test, it will bring out the people who have not voted in a very long time to vote to vote for the TUSCsouthy

I think you and I must live in different worlds within Test. I certainly don't know anyone who'd vote TUSC, it's Tory and Lib Dem in Portswood Ward. Most people aren't union members or socialists. You need to be within the 3 main parties to stand a chance of being elected. Interesting to see what might have happened had Bassett & Swaythling still been in Test.

I think you and I must live in different worlds within Test. I certainly don't know anyone who'd vote TUSC, it's Tory and Lib Dem in Portswood Ward. Most people aren't union members or socialists. You need to be within the 3 main parties to stand a chance of being elected. Interesting to see what might have happened had Bassett & Swaythling still been in Test.Condor Man

I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?!

Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.

I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?!
Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.MaxxieO

Condor Man wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.

JM's result was excellent - and if there is another election in October then he will surely win.

But on the day.... and over the years the Tory boys just were not good enough....still.....
......anticipating that Moulton and Smith would both be defeated they can go back to their day jobs in the Council which they didnt resign from. Now that was a wise move

[quote][p][bold]Adrian Smith[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
Moulton should have upped his game, Royston Smith was far more visible in Itchen- hence cutting Denham's lead by such a margin. Perhaps JM's disadvantage was that he had to go to work whilst Whitehead was able to get out more. You never know, we might see a change if we have another election at the end of the year.[/p][/quote]JM's result was excellent - and if there is another election in October then he will surely win.[/p][/quote]But on the day.... and over the years the Tory boys just were not good enough....still.....
......anticipating that Moulton and Smith would both be defeated they can go back to their day jobs in the Council which they didnt resign from. Now that was a wise moveLone Ranger

MaxxieO wrote:
I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?!

Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.

i got a lead jacket for you put him would that help.
you will see the socialist government in 25 years or less, the left are starting to come back together again, there only 3 left wing partys out in the cold, with them joining and the unions falling behind the tusc, we will have the man power and the money to be able to contend every seat in the uk.
there will be another new party here soon to who i think will be a major player and will replace the liberals and torys, there name is the atheist party.
i can see that the future partys will be the socialist and atheist partys

[quote][p][bold]MaxxieO[/bold] wrote:
I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?!
Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.[/p][/quote]i got a lead jacket for you put him would that help.
you will see the socialist government in 25 years or less, the left are starting to come back together again, there only 3 left wing partys out in the cold, with them joining and the unions falling behind the tusc, we will have the man power and the money to be able to contend every seat in the uk.
there will be another new party here soon to who i think will be a major player and will replace the liberals and torys, there name is the atheist party.
i can see that the future partys will be the socialist and atheist partyssouthy

Condor Man wrote:
I think you and I must live in different worlds within Test. I certainly don't know anyone who'd vote TUSC, it's Tory and Lib Dem in Portswood Ward. Most people aren't union members or socialists. You need to be within the 3 main parties to stand a chance of being elected. Interesting to see what might have happened had Bassett &amp; Swaythling still been in Test.

would be about the same i think swaythling has a high number of labour voters.
even lo there was more that turned out over the uk, its still very low because people dont have any one to vote now days. and if you been watching whats been happening over the last 25 years i think you find they will be replace.
this new party the atheist party there policys are the type that will range between centre right to centre left, and with this country mainly being a atheist country a name like that they will go down very well has would there policy
the socialist party or what ever name they settle on using will be the other main party (but if labour get destroyed then the socialist will take over the labour party name)

[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
I think you and I must live in different worlds within Test. I certainly don't know anyone who'd vote TUSC, it's Tory and Lib Dem in Portswood Ward. Most people aren't union members or socialists. You need to be within the 3 main parties to stand a chance of being elected. Interesting to see what might have happened had Bassett & Swaythling still been in Test.[/p][/quote]would be about the same i think swaythling has a high number of labour voters.
even lo there was more that turned out over the uk, its still very low because people dont have any one to vote now days. and if you been watching whats been happening over the last 25 years i think you find they will be replace.
this new party the atheist party there policys are the type that will range between centre right to centre left, and with this country mainly being a atheist country a name like that they will go down very well has would there policy
the socialist party or what ever name they settle on using will be the other main party (but if labour get destroyed then the socialist will take over the labour party name)southy

MaxxieO wrote: I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?! Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.

i got a lead jacket for you put him would that help. you will see the socialist government in 25 years or less, the left are starting to come back together again, there only 3 left wing partys out in the cold, with them joining and the unions falling behind the tusc, we will have the man power and the money to be able to contend every seat in the uk. there will be another new party here soon to who i think will be a major player and will replace the liberals and torys, there name is the atheist party. i can see that the future partys will be the socialist and atheist partys

Yeah, a lead jacket would be very useful!!

I hope your predictions about the TUSC are right, although they haven't won any seats this time (but the Green Party winning a seat is a step in the right direction).

[quote][p][bold]southy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]MaxxieO[/bold] wrote: I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?! Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.[/p][/quote]i got a lead jacket for you put him would that help. you will see the socialist government in 25 years or less, the left are starting to come back together again, there only 3 left wing partys out in the cold, with them joining and the unions falling behind the tusc, we will have the man power and the money to be able to contend every seat in the uk. there will be another new party here soon to who i think will be a major player and will replace the liberals and torys, there name is the atheist party. i can see that the future partys will be the socialist and atheist partys[/p][/quote]Yeah, a lead jacket would be very useful!!
I hope your predictions about the TUSC are right, although they haven't won any seats this time (but the Green Party winning a seat is a step in the right direction).MaxxieO

MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.

MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.Saintlygirl

My comments were intended to be tongue-in-cheek! I have nothing personally against Mr Moulton as I don't know him, although I am pleased Mr Whitehead has won, as he has done a lot of good work compared to some MPs and he seems genuinely interested in helping his constituents.

My comments were intended to be tongue-in-cheek! I have nothing personally against Mr Moulton as I don't know him, although I am pleased Mr Whitehead has won, as he has done a lot of good work compared to some MPs and he seems genuinely interested in helping his constituents.MaxxieO

I never had any doubt that Alan Whitehead will hold on to Southampton Test. In fact few times I did even post my reasoning, but Tory fans just would not listen and their candidates both in Test and Itchen rather than doing some constructive work as councillors, what they were (sadly) elected to do, went on wasting resources in most unproductive manner. (Typical Tories probably!)

Tory campaign in Southampton was disgraceful. Moulton kept on barking up the tree that doesn’t exist. He shamelessly criticised Dr.Whitehead’s use of parliamentary communication allowance which is available to all the MPs for providing information to their constituents, and is very rightly used by even Tory MPs.

I have known Alan for a very long time, although we often disagree on various issues and as a socialist I am not at all keen on right wing NuLabour he belongs to, but as a person he is exceptionally able man, who works very hard helping ALL his constituents and has always been open and honest with his expenses.

Even before the shameful scandals of Tory duck houses, LibDem trouser presses and pocketing thousands for changing tenancy agreements and love for the luxuries like first class travel, and New Labour’s ‘dry rot’ came to light Dr. Whitehead used to provide full details of his claims to his constituents.

Unless he is completely crazy, how on earth Conservative Moulton expected to unseat a man like Alan Whitehead?

Perhaps Moulton may now decide to do one last decent thing, apologise not to Alan Whitehead but to constituents of Southampton Test for running a shamelessly dirty campaign, and to his own Party (or to Ashcroft?) for wasting limitless Tory funds in most unproductive manner. Or am I expecting too much from a Tory?

I never had any doubt that Alan Whitehead will hold on to Southampton Test. In fact few times I did even post my reasoning, but Tory fans just would not listen and their candidates both in Test and Itchen rather than doing some constructive work as councillors, what they were (sadly) elected to do, went on wasting resources in most unproductive manner. (Typical Tories probably!)
Tory campaign in Southampton was disgraceful. Moulton kept on barking up the tree that doesn’t exist. He shamelessly criticised Dr.Whitehead’s use of parliamentary communication allowance which is available to all the MPs for providing information to their constituents, and is very rightly used by even Tory MPs.
I have known Alan for a very long time, although we often disagree on various issues and as a socialist I am not at all keen on right wing NuLabour he belongs to, but as a person he is exceptionally able man, who works very hard helping ALL his constituents and has always been open and honest with his expenses.
Even before the shameful scandals of Tory duck houses, LibDem trouser presses and pocketing thousands for changing tenancy agreements and love for the luxuries like first class travel, and New Labour’s ‘dry rot’ came to light Dr. Whitehead used to provide full details of his claims to his constituents.
Unless he is completely crazy, how on earth Conservative Moulton expected to unseat a man like Alan Whitehead?
Perhaps Moulton may now decide to do one last decent thing, apologise not to Alan Whitehead but to constituents of Southampton Test for running a shamelessly dirty campaign, and to his own Party (or to Ashcroft?) for wasting limitless Tory funds in most unproductive manner. Or am I expecting too much from a Tory?Paramjit Bahia

Saintlygirl wrote:
MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.

For a Saintly Girl you certainly know some strange characters!

Oh well, everybody can make few mistakes in life.

Did you know some of us socialists also know many Tories who are really good and very useful for target practise?

[quote][p][bold]Saintlygirl[/bold] wrote:
MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.[/p][/quote]For a Saintly Girl you certainly know some strange characters!
Oh well, everybody can make few mistakes in life.
Did you know some of us socialists also know many Tories who are really good and very useful for target practise?Paramjit Bahia

Saintlygirl wrote:
MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.

For a Saintly Girl you certainly know some strange characters!

Oh well, everybody can make few mistakes in life.

Did you know some of us socialists also know many Tories who are really good and very useful for target practise?

lol yes i do know a few my self. i also know moulton well i bound to seeing he not to far away from me, even spoke to him a few times, but i cant help not forgetting what one of his neighbours said to me. thats another story.
has for alan he picks and chose who helps, and those he do help he send you a letter to remind you, and ask you to vote for him in an up and coming election, but has for the majority of people that phones him, writes a letter or e-mails him dont expect a reply, and i know this is not a one off, its happened to many people that live on the council housing estates. what he was like years ago, he not the same person any more.

[quote][p][bold]Paramjit Bahia[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Saintlygirl[/bold] wrote:
MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.[/p][/quote]For a Saintly Girl you certainly know some strange characters!
Oh well, everybody can make few mistakes in life.
Did you know some of us socialists also know many Tories who are really good and very useful for target practise?[/p][/quote]lol yes i do know a few my self. i also know moulton well i bound to seeing he not to far away from me, even spoke to him a few times, but i cant help not forgetting what one of his neighbours said to me. thats another story.
has for alan he picks and chose who helps, and those he do help he send you a letter to remind you, and ask you to vote for him in an up and coming election, but has for the majority of people that phones him, writes a letter or e-mails him dont expect a reply, and i know this is not a one off, its happened to many people that live on the council housing estates. what he was like years ago, he not the same person any more.southy

MaxxieO wrote: I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?! Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.

i got a lead jacket for you put him would that help. you will see the socialist government in 25 years or less, the left are starting to come back together again, there only 3 left wing partys out in the cold, with them joining and the unions falling behind the tusc, we will have the man power and the money to be able to contend every seat in the uk. there will be another new party here soon to who i think will be a major player and will replace the liberals and torys, there name is the atheist party. i can see that the future partys will be the socialist and atheist partys

Yeah, a lead jacket would be very useful!!

I hope your predictions about the TUSC are right, although they haven't won any seats this time (but the Green Party winning a seat is a step in the right direction).

why dont you come and join us maxxie, sounds like your interested in those sorts of things.

[quote][p][bold]MaxxieO[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]southy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]MaxxieO[/bold] wrote: I'd be quite happy to see Moulton in the Test - preferably without a lifejacket - can I be front of the queue to push him off the bridge?! Southy, you are living in cloud cuckoo land. I would love to see a socialist party in power but the majority of voters don't agree. I blame Thatcherism.[/p][/quote]i got a lead jacket for you put him would that help. you will see the socialist government in 25 years or less, the left are starting to come back together again, there only 3 left wing partys out in the cold, with them joining and the unions falling behind the tusc, we will have the man power and the money to be able to contend every seat in the uk. there will be another new party here soon to who i think will be a major player and will replace the liberals and torys, there name is the atheist party. i can see that the future partys will be the socialist and atheist partys[/p][/quote]Yeah, a lead jacket would be very useful!!
I hope your predictions about the TUSC are right, although they haven't won any seats this time (but the Green Party winning a seat is a step in the right direction).[/p][/quote]why dont you come and join us maxxie, sounds like your interested in those sorts of things.southy

Saintlygirl wrote: MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.

For a Saintly Girl you certainly know some strange characters! Oh well, everybody can make few mistakes in life. Did you know some of us socialists also know many Tories who are really good and very useful for target practise?

What ever Paramjit! I'm only saintly in the sense that I'm an avid Saints fan! I've only seen good come from Jeremy Moulton yet you have words about using people for target practise, and you think I know strange characters? I'm talking about Jeremy as a character, not as a Tory. By the way MaxxieO - sorry for taking you so seriosly.

[quote][p][bold]Paramjit Bahia[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Saintlygirl[/bold] wrote: MaxxiO and Southy - come on people, is there a need for personal abuse? Do you know him? I do and he happens to be a very approachable and nice person. I've known him for at least 5 years so please cut out the negative personal comments.[/p][/quote]For a Saintly Girl you certainly know some strange characters! Oh well, everybody can make few mistakes in life. Did you know some of us socialists also know many Tories who are really good and very useful for target practise?[/p][/quote]What ever Paramjit! I'm only saintly in the sense that I'm an avid Saints fan! I've only seen good come from Jeremy Moulton yet you have words about using people for target practise, and you think I know strange characters? I'm talking about Jeremy as a character, not as a Tory. By the way MaxxieO - sorry for taking you so seriosly.Saintlygirl